Punching apparatus

ABSTRACT

Punching apparatus for punching binder holes through the edge of a large count book of paper in a single punching operation. The apparatus includes a splitter for separating one edge of the book into several discrete lifts which are inserted between a plurality of stacked die plates having aligned die openings formed therethrough. Clamping apparatus clamps the lifts between the die plates and punching mechanism drives a series of punches through the aligned die openings in the die plates and through edges of the sheets clamped between the die plates.

United States Patent [1 1 Seaborn 1 Sept. 30, 1975 PUNCHING APPARATUS[75] lnventor: Paul E. Seaborn, Los Gatos, Calif.

[73] Assignee: The Mead Corporation, Dayton,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 415,672

[52] U.S. Cl. 83/210; 83/29; 83/282; 83/418; 83/4401; 83/449; 83/691;93/93 DP;

[51] Int. Cl. B26F 1/02 [58] Field of Search 83/29, 210, 418, 454, 456,83/382, 440, 440.1, 444, 449, 450, 691, 687, 282, 685, 690, 137, 635,637; 93/93 DP;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,288 3/1942 Sadlcr83/635 X 2,776,540 l/l957 Kraujalis.... 83/137 X 3,107,567 10/1963Lindcr 83/137 X 3,130,623 4/1964 Nesbitt 83/635 X 3,627,152 12/1971Pfafilc 214/85 SS 3,667,334 6/1972 Brunett 3,757,970 9/1973 Pfafflc93/93 DP FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 26,470 1912 United Kingdom83/29 Primary E.\'aminer.l. M. Meister Attorney, Agent, or FirmBiebel,French & Bugg 5 7 ABSTRACT Punching apparatus for punching binder holesthrough the edge of a large count book of paper in a single punchingoperation. The apparatus includes a splitter for separating one edge ofthe book into several discrete lifts which are inserted between aplurality of stacked die plates having aligned die openings formedtherethrough. Clamping apparatus clamps the lifts between the die platesand punching mechanism drives a series of punches through the aligneddie openings in the die plates and through edges of the sheets clampedbetween the die plates.

15 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures II I ssut U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet1 of 5 3,908,498

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,908,498

FIG-4 32 26 I0 US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,908,498

FIG-8 FIG-9 RE. CELL 56 CONTROL PUNCH CLAMP CYLINDERS CYLINDERS CONVEYORDRIVE U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 of5 3,908,498

FIG 10 U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,908,498

6 4: bag; I

A 4 M 45m PUNCHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In themanufacture of bound notebooks, it is common practice to form aplurality of openings along one edge of the book and then insert abinder of some type through these openings. For example, see US. Pat.No. 3,555,587 which describes a substantially automatic system forbinding books of paper or the like.

Generally, when manufacturing relatively large count notebooks, thepunching operation to form the binder receiving holes is carried out ina series of steps, with the book first being separated into lifts of a'thickness susceptible of being handled by the punching equipment. Then,after the punching operation, the lifts are collected into a bookpreparatory to the binding operation.

Obviously, this affects the productivity of the book manufacturingprocess since, in other phases of the process the book can be handled asa unit, whereas in the punching operation the book must first beseparated, handled as a series of sub-units and then are as sembled intobook form before further processing can proceed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus forpunching binder receiving openings through edges of relatively largecount books in a single punch operation, without the necessity ofseparating the book into lifts, punching each lift separately andcollecting the punched lifts into book form.

This is accomplished by utilizing a plurality of stacked die plateshaving aligned die openings and extending in spaced parallelrelationship to each other to receive therebetween the edges of a bookof paper to be punched.

To facilitate inserting the edges of the book between the spaced dieplates, a splitter section is incorporated in the punching apparatuspositioned upstream of the die plates and incorporating a plurality ofpivotally mounted knives which separate the edge ofa book into discretelifts and direct the separated edges between guide plates which feed theseparated edges between the spaced apart die plates.

A punch holder is positioned adjacent the die plates and carries aplurality of punches aligned with the die openings in the die plates. Apunch guide plate is positioned intermediate the die plates and thepunch holder and has a series of guide holes formed therethrough forreceiving and guiding punches. The punch guide plate also serves as aclamping means and is attached to hydraulic piston and cylinders whichmove the punch guide plate towards the stack of die plates to clamp theseparated edges of the book therebetween.

The punch holder is also attached to hydraulic piston and cylinderswhich drive the punches up through the aligned openings in the dieplates. As the punches enter the first lift of paper, the punchings aresheared off by the sharpened edge of the die hole in the first dieplate. These punchings, driven by the following punches, then enter thenext lift of paper and shear it off against the second die plate. Thisprocess continues with the punchings moving ahead of the punches and, ineffect, acting as punches and cooperating with the edges of the dieopenings in each die plate. As a result, the entire book can be punchedwith a single stroke of the punches.

Upon completion of the punching operation, the punches retract, thepunch guide plate moves away from the die plates, and a spring loadedspacer opens the die plates and seats them against stops which hold theplates in their spaced apart relationship.

Preferably, monitoring means such as a photoelectric cell isincorporated into the system to inhibit the punching operation in theabsence of a book at the punching station. Additionally, controls areprovided in a preferred form of the invention to insure that the book isclamped tightly between the die plates before the punches are extendedin a punching stroke. Clamping of the edges between the die plates isconsidered important to keep the plates flat and aligned and therebyprevent the punches from catching on the edges of the plates anddamaging the machine.

In this regard alignment means is also provided to insure that the punchholder, and hence, the punches, are in alignment with each other andmoving uniformly through the die plates. The alignment means comprises astabilizing link connected through additional links at one end toclevises mounted on the machine base and pivotally connected at itsopposite end to the punch holder. This linkage system prevents one endof the punch plate from moving ahead of the other end during a punchingstroke.

The present invention also includes means for ejecting the punchingsfrom the apparatus to prevent them from falling back into the die holesand interferring with operation of the machine. This includes drilledholes through each of the punches through which timed air jets may bedirected.

As will become more apparent in the ensuing detailed description, thepresent invention thus provides a system for punching openings throughthe edges of relatively large count books in a single punchingoperation, thereby avoiding the necessity of punching the book inseveral separate operations and thereby increasing the productivity ofthe process line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofpunching appartaus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the punching station taken along line 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a book following the punching operation;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the splitter section and the upstream endof the punching station as viewed from the rear of the machine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a pivotal knife associ ated with thesplitter section;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a book with the edges thereofseparated into discrete lifts and directed between the guide plates ofthe splitter section;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a book entering the upstream end of thesplitter station;

FIG. 8 is a view of the front side of the punching station takensubstantially along line 88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the control system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a view of the rear side of the punching station taken alongline l010 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the punch holderand punches carried thereby;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view through the punch holder, punch quideplate, die plates and die block;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 2, enlarged somewhat and with portionsomitted for clarity;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked die plates andlifts of paper; and

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the punch guideplate, die plates and die block and one die plate stop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although for purposes ofillustration the apparatus of the present invention will be described inconjunction with the punching of a series of binder receiving holesalong one edge of a book of paper designed to be bound in notebook form,it will be apparent as the description proceeds that the presentinvention is applicable to punching operations generally.

With this in mind and turning initially of FIG. 3 of the drawings, apunched book 10 is shown for purposes of illustration having formedtherein along one edge 12 thereof a series of relatively closely spacedholes 14 which may receive, for example. a helical wire binder, andrelatively larger holes 16 suitable for receiving ring binders of aconventional type associated with loose leaf notebook covers. Usuallythe book 10 will be bound by inserting a suitable binder through theopenings l4 and the openings 16 provided so that; the consumer can placethe notebook in a two or three ring loose leaf binder.

To form the openings 14 and 16, the apparatus of the present invention,as generally shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, is provided. This includesa housing 18 enclosing suitable electrical and hydraulic or pneumaticequipment, a conveyor 20, and a punching unit 22 positioned at apunching station along the conveyor. As seen in FIG. I of the drawings,as books of paper are moved along the conveyor by pushers 24, loweredges of the sheets comprising the book are maintained in alignment by arail 26 (FIG. 5) and their downstream edges are maintained in alignmentby engagement with the pushers 24 riding in the slots 28.

As the books progress in a downstream direction from left to right, asindicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the lower leading edgeof each book is directed into a splitting section 30. The splittingsection 30, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 of the drawings, includes aseries of knives 32 each of which has a knife edge 34 extending at anangle to the direction of movement of the books 10. Each knife 32 ispivotally mounted, as at 36, to allow limited pivoting movement of theknife as it engages the leading edge of a book 10 to prevent binding ofthe knife at the initial stage of the splitting operation. Set screws 38are mounted in a bracket 39 adjacent the mounting 40 for each knife 32to limit pivoting movement of the knives.

Immediately downstream of each knife is a guide member, each of theguide members being of progressively decreasing length in a downstreamdirection as shown at 42, 44, 46 and 48 in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Theguides 42, 44, 46 and 48 separate the lower edge of each book intodiscrete lifts 50 (FIG. 5) and direct the lifts between spaced dieplates 52, each of which is provided with a sharpened upstream edge, asindicated at 54 in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The movement of the pushers 24 along the conveyor 20 is intermittent andis controlled by a control unit, as seen in FIG. 9 of the drawings, inresponse to a photoelectric cell 56 mounted within a shroud 58, as seenin FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings. Thus, the control unit may incorporatea timer which deactivates the drive for a predetermined length of timeupon the detection of a book at the punching station by thephotoelectric cell 56.

Alternately, the conveyor drive may be simply deenergized by the controlunit in response to a signal from the photoelectric cell 56 andreenergized by a punching stroke. Regardless of the specific controlmechanism utilized, once a book 10 is positioned at the punching stationthe divided edges 50 of the book are clamped between the die plates 52and the openings 14 and 16 shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings are punchedthrough the book in the manner described in detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawings, it will be seen thatthe punching unit 22 includes a pair of side frame members 60 to whichare attached by bolts or the like a bottom cylinder plate 62 and a topdie block 64. Members 60, 62 and 64 can also be seen in FIG. 13 of thedrawings where it will be noted that bottom members 62 and 64 areprovided with pin holes 66 and bolt holes 68 for interconnecting theside. top and bottom members.

The cylinder plate 62 has a pair of outer clamp cylinders 70 and aninner clamping cylinder 72 attached thereto by bolts or the like (notshown) and a pair of spaced apart punching cylinders 74 which are alsoattached to the cylinder plate 62 by suitable bolts or other fastening.

The clamping cylinders 70 have piston rods 76 projecting therefrom theclamp blocks 78 are provided with internally threaded openings 80 toreceive the upper threaded ends of each of the piston rods 76. Setscrews 82 may also be provided to fix the upper ends of the piston rodswithin the clamp blocks.

Each of the clamp blocks 78 is provided with a shouldered portion, as at84, which seats a complementary shouldered portion 86 at each end of apunch guide plate 88. The punch guide plate 88 is also provided with athreaded opening 90 to receive a bolt 92 and attach the punch guideplate, adjacent each end thereof, to the clamp blocks 78.

The upper die block 64 is provided with an opening therethrough adjacenteach end receiving a pair of press fitted downwardly extending guidepins 94. Each of the guide pins 94, as best seen in FIG. 15 of thedrawings, is received in slightly oversized openings 96 in each of thedie plates 52 and in a similar oversized opening 98 in the punch guideplate 88.

The middle clamping cylinder 72 is provided with an outwardly extendingpiston rod 100 fixed to a substantially C-shaped center clamping bar102, as best seen in FIGS. 8, I0 and I3 of the drawings. At its upperend the center clamp bar 102 is bolted or otherwise attached to thelower surface of the punch guide plate 88.

With the above construction it will be seen that upon extension of thepiston rods 76 and 100 the punch guide plate 88 will move upwardlytoward the die block 64 guided by the guide pins 94, narrowing the liftreceiving spaces between adjacent die plates 52 and clamping the lifts50 therebetween.

With further reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 through 13 of the drawings, itwill be seen that each of the punching cylinders 74 is provided with anoutwardly, extending piston rod 104 carrying a clevis 106 at its upperend. Each of the clevises 106 is received in a slotted portion 108 of apunch holder 110 positioned beneath the punch guide plate 88 and betweenthe clamp blocks 78 and is pinned thereto, as at 112.

The punch holder 110, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, includes a baseportion 114 which is slotted, as at 116, and notched, as at 118.Relatively large diameter punches 120 suitable for punching the openings16 have the shanks 121 thereof received in the notches 118 with theenlarged heads 122 received in the slots 116. The punches 120 areprevented from moving axially thereof by means of the enlarged heads 122and are restrained against lateral movement by the fact that they arereceived in slightly larger sized openings extending through the punchguide plate 88, die plates 52 and top die block 64, as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 8 and indicated by the reference numerals 124, 126 and128, respectively, in FIG. 15 of the drawings.

With reference again to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that the punchholder 1 also includes a top plate member 130 which is undercut, as at132, and provided with a series of openings 134 therethrough receivingshank portions 135 of punches 136 of somewhat smaller diameter than thediameter of the punches 120. The punches 136 with the heads 137 thereofreceived in the undercut portion 132 are suitable for forming theopenings 14 in the books 10. Members 114 and 130 are secured together bymeans of pins 138 and bolts 140 received in suitable openings in theiropposing sur faces.

With this construction it will be seen that after the edges of the lifts50 have been clamped between the die plates 52, as described above, thecylinders 74 are pressurized, causing their piston rods 104 to move thepunch holder 110 and the punches 122 and 136 upwardly through the edgesof the lifts 50, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 of the drawings. As each ofthe punches moves through the lowermost die plate, the leading edge ofthe punches, cooperating with the edge of the die hole through which itis extended, that is the holes 126 with regard to the punches 120 andholes 142 (see FIG. with regard to the punches 136, will sever openingsin the lowermost lift 50.

As the punches continue to move upwardly, the punchings 144 and 146severed from the lowermost sheet are forced ahead and cooperate with theedges of the die openings through which they are driven by the punchesto punch a series of openings through the next succeeding lift. Thiscontinues, with the punchings from preceeding lifts being driven aheadof the punches and cooperating with the die openings to punch holesthrough succeeding lifts.

As a result, the entire book 10 can be punched in a single punchingstroke, eliminating the necessity of dividing each book, punching thedivided sections and recollecting the sections into book form. Ifdesired, each of the punches 120 and 136 can also be provided withdrilled air jet openings 148 and 150, respectively, timed jets of airblown through the openings to blow out the punchings 144 and 146 andprevent them from accummulating in the machine.

It is important that the punches move in alignment during a punchingstroke. To insure that this does occur, aligning means are provided forthe punch holder, as best seen in FIGS. 8, l0 and 13 of the drawings.

Thus, the punch holder is slotted, as at 152, adjacent each end thereofand receives the upper ends 153 of the legs of a substantially H-shapedstabilizing link 154 which is pinned to the punch holder by means ofpins 156, as best seen in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The lower ends 157 ofthe legs of the stabilizing link 154 are inned, as indicated at 158, toconnecting links 160, each of which is also pinned, as at 162, tobrackets 163 mounted on the cylinder plate 62.

After the openings 14 and 16 have been punched through the book, thepunches are retracted and the piston rods 76 are moved downwardly alongwith the clamp blocks 78 and the punch guide plate 88. To provide apositive opening force on the die plates 52 once the clamping force isremoved therefrom, the die plate lifters 164 are provided, as best seenin FIGS. 10 and 15 of the drawings.

Thus, the top die block 64 is provided with an opening 166 therethroughadjacent each end into which the pins 164 are slip fitted with theirstepped lower ends 168 extending downwardly through the openings 170,172, 174, etc., through each end of the die plates 52. The steppedportions 168 of the pins 164 are complementarily configured with respectto the openings 170, 172, etc., through the die plates 52, and the pins164 are urged downwardly by means of a spring 176 received in a housing177, as seen in FIG. 8 of the drawings, so that the stepped shankportions of the pins will pick up a die plate 52 as the pins 164 movedownwardly when the clamping force is removed from the die plates.

Stops 178, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 15 of the drawings, are mountedon the side plates 60 by bolts or the like adjacent each end of the dieplate stack. The upper, inner edge of each stop 178 is of steppedconfiguration, providing a plurality of die plate seats 180, upon whichthe die plates rest when they are separated from their clamped positionby the spring loaded pins To insure that the edges of the lifts 50 arealigned as they are received between the guide plates 52, eccentric pins182, as seen in FIGS, 12 and 15, are provided. Each of the pins 182 isthreadably received in the die block 64 and has an eccentric shaftportion 184 extending downwardly through openings 186 in the die plates52. Because .of the eccentricity of the shaft portion 184 with respectto the threaded upper portion 188 thereof, turning the pins 182 abouttheir axes will cause the eccentric portion 184 to move within theopenings 186 and provide a fine adjustment for aligning the edges of thelifts'50.

As indicated somewhat schematically in FIG. 9 of the drawings, a controlunit for the apparatus receives signals from the photoelectric cell 56when a book 10 reaches the punching station. The control unit then haltsthe conveyor drive and causes the clamp cylinders 70 and 72 to bepressurized. Pressurization of the clamp cylinders causes the lifts 50along an edge of a book 10 to be clamped between the die plates 52, andthe clamping action is conveyed to the control unit, which thenenergizes the punching cylinders 74, causing the punches and 136 to moveupwardly and, as described above, formthe openings 14 and 16 in a singlestroke of the punching mechanism.

The control for the punching operation may be timer actuated orcontrolled in response to the accomplishment of steps in the punchingoperation to thereafter cause the punches to react, the die plates to beunclamped and the conveyor drive actuated to move the punched book fromthe punching station and move a second unpunched book into position.

From the above it will be seen that the present invention providespunching apparatus which allows a high count book to be punched in asingle punching operation, thereby providing a more simplified processand permitting higher production rates.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a conveyor adapted to move discrete books of paper past a punchingstation,

b. a plurality of splitter knives having edges extending angularly toleading edges of said books,

c. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extendingtransversely across the path of movement of said books along saidconveyor,

d. a plurality of guides adapted to receive therebetween lifts of paperdivided from said books along an edge thereof by said knives andmaintain said lifts in spaced apart relationship as they move along saidconveyor from said knives to said punching station,

e. a plurality of die plates positioned at said punching station andextending in spaced parallel relationship to each other to define aplurality oflift receiving spaces therebetween adapted to receive saidlifts from said guides as said lifts are conveyed to said punchingstation,

' f. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extendingthrough said die plates,

g. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seatsadapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said dieplates in said spaced parallel relationship,

h. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders ofprogressively decreasing diameters received in complementary shapedopenings in said die plates,

i. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and seat said die plates on said dieplate engaging seats on said stop members,

j. a die block extending across said die plates,

k. a punch guide plate extending beneath said die plates and havingpunch guide holes therethrough aligned with said die openings in saiddie plates,

1. a punch holder extending beneath said punch guide plate and carryinga plurality of punches received in and guided by said punch guide holesin said punch guide plate,

m. a bottom cylinder plate extending beneath said punch holder in spacedrelationship thereto,

n. side plates extending between and fixed to said die block and saidbottom plate,

0. a plurality of clamp cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plateand having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punch guideplate,

p. a plurality of punch cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plateand having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punchholder, and

q. link means pivotally attached to and extending between said punchholder and said bottom plate to stabilize movement of said punch platetoward and away from said die block.

2. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship toeach other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receivingspaces between adjacent die plates,

b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending throughsaid stacked die plates,

c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portionsof a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said liftreceiving spaces,

d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates,

e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die platesto punch holes through said portions oflifts clamped between said dieplates in said lift receiving spaces, and

f. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seatsadapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said dieplates in said spaced relationship.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders ofprogressively decreasing diameters,

b. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasingdiameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving saidshoulders of said spacer pins, and

c. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into engagementwith said seats on said die plate stop members.

4. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship toeach other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receivingspaces between adjacent die plates,

b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending throughsaid stacked die plates,

c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portionsof a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said liftreceiving spaces,

d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates,

e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die platesto punch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said dieplates in said lift receiving spaces,

f. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders ofprogressively decreasing diameters,

g. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasingdiameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving saidshoulders of said spacer pins, and

h. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into said spacedrelationship thereof.

5. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship toeach other and defining a plurality of'spaced apart, lift receivingspaces between adjacent die plates,

b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending throughsaid stacked die plates, c. means for moving said die plates toward eachother to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received be-- a. saiddie plate moving means comprises clamping piston and cylinder means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said die plate loving means furthercomprises:

a. a punching guide plate extending across the stack of said die plates,and

b. means mounting said punching guide plate on piston rods of saidclamping piston and cylinder means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a. means defining a plurality of punch guide holes in said punch guideplate aligned with said die openings.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a. a puncher holder extending substantially coextensively with saidpunch guide plate and carrying said punches with said punches receivedin said punch guide holes. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein saidmeans for moving said punches into said openings in said die platescomprises:

a. punching piston and cylinder means having outer ends of piston rodsthereof attached to said punch holder.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

a. said punch moving means comprises punching piston and cylinder means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a. a punch holder carrying said punches, and

b. means attaching said punching piston and cylinder means to said punchholder.

13. the apparatus of claim 5 wherein said directing means comprises:

a. a plurality of knives for engaging a leading edge of a book andseparating an adjacent edge thereof into discrete lifts, and

b. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extendingperpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said directing means furthercomprises:

a. guide means extending from said knives to said die plates andmaintaining lifts separated from each other as books thereof move alongsaid conveying means from said knives to said die plates.

15. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a. means for detecting the presence of a book at said spaced die plates,and

b. means for controlling clamping movement of said die plates inresponse to said detecting means. =1:

1. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a conveyor adapted to move discretebooks of paper past a punching station, b. a plurality of splitterknives having edges extending angularly to leading edges of said books,c. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extendingtransversely across the path of movement of said books along saidconveyor, d. a plurality of guides adapted to receive therebetween liftsof paper divided from said books along an edge thereof by said knivesand maintain said lifts in spaced apart relationship as they move alongsaid conveyor from said knives to said punching station, e. a pluralityof die plates positioned at said punching station and extending inspaced parallel relationship to each other to define a plurality of liftreceiving spaces therebetween adapted to receive said lifts from saidguides as said lifts are conveyed to said punching station, f. meansdefining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said dieplates, g. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engagingseats adapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and supportsaid die plates in said spaced parallel relationship, h. die platespacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasingdiameters received in complementary shaped openings in said die plates,i. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and seat said die plates on said dieplate engaging seats on said stop members, j. a die block extendingacross said die plates, k. a punch guide plate extending beneath saiddie plates and having punch guide holes therethrough aligned with saiddie openings in said die plates, l. a punch holder extending beneathsaid punch guide plate and carrying a plurality of punches received inand guided by said punch guide holes in said punch guide plate, m. abottom cylinder plate extending beneath said punch holder in spacedrelationship thereto, n. side plates extending between and fixed to saiddie block and said bottom plate, o. a plurality of clamp cylindersmounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rods extendingtherefrom attached to said punch guide plate, p. a plurality of punchcylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rodsextending therefrom attached to said punch holder, and q. link meanspivotally attached to and extending between said punch holder and saidbottom plate to stabilize movement of said punch plate toward and awayfrom said die block.
 2. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a plurality ofstacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other anddefining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces betweenadjacent die plates, b. means defining a plurality of aligned dieopenings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for movingsaid die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality oflifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, d.a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates, e.means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates topunch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said dieplates in said lift receiving spaces, and f. die plate stop membershaving stepped die plate engaging seats adapted to engage stepped edgesof said die plates and support said die plates in said spacedrelationship.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a. dieplate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressivelydecreasing diameters, b. means defining a plurality of openings ofprogressively decreasing diameters formed in said die platescomplementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, andc. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into engagementwith said seats on said die plate stop members.
 4. Punching apparatuscomprising: a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spacedrelationship to each other and defining a plurality of spaced apart,lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates, b. means defining aplurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked dieplates, c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clampportions of a plurality of lifts received between said die plates insaid lift receiving spaces, d. a plurality of punches aligned with saidopenings in said die plates, e. means for moving said punches into saidopenings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions oflifts clamped between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, f.die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressivelydecreasing diameters, g. means defining a plurality of openings ofprogressively decreasing diameters formed in said die platescomplementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, andh. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage saiddie plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into said spacedrelationship thereof.
 5. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a pluralityof stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other anddefining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces betweenadjacent die plates, b. means defining a plurality of aligned dieopenings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for movingsaid die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality oflifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, d.a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates, e.means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates topunch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said dieplates in said lifting receiving spaces, f. means for conveying books tobe punched to said stacked die plates, and g. means for directingseparated lifts into said lift receiving spaces as a book moves alongsaid conveying means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said dieplate moving means comprises clamping piston and cylinder means.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein said die plate moving means furthercomprises: a. a punching guide plate extending across the stack of saiddie plates, and b. means mounting said punching guide plate on pistonrods of said clamping piston and cylinder means.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 further comprising: a. means defining a plurality of punch guideholes in said punch guide plate aligned with said die openings.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a. a puncher holder extendingsubstantially coextensively with said punch guide plate and carryingsaid punches with said punches received in said punch guide holes. 10.The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for moving said punches intosaid openings in said die plates comprises: a. punching piston andcylinder means having outer ends of piston rods thereof attached to saidpunch holder.
 11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said punch movingmeans comprises punching piston and cylinder means.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11 further comprising: a. a punch holder carrying said punches,and b. means attaching said punching piston and cylinder means to saidpunch holder.
 13. the apparatus of claim 5 wherein said directing meanscomprises: a. a plurality of knives for engaging a leading edge of abook and separating an adjacent edge thereof into discrete lifts, and b.means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extendingperpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein said directing means further comprises: a.guide means extending from said knives to said die plates andmaintaining lifts separated from each other as books thereof move alongsaid conveying means from said knives to said die plates.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a. means for detecting thepresence of a book at said spaced die plates, and b. means forcontrolling clamping movement of said die plates in response to saiddetecting means.